Cited by 84Schizophrenia research and treatmentNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesMental Health and Psychiatry

Anticipatory pleasure for future experiences in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and major depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

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Hallford, David J., Sharma, Manoj K.·2019·British Journal of Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Objectives: Deficits in anticipating pleasure may be an important dimension of anhedonia and functioning in psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia and depression; however, inconsistent findings have limited the conclusions that can be drawn. We conducted the first systemic review and meta‐analysis of the extant literature for research comparing psychiatric groups to healthy control groups on anticipatory pleasure. Methods: Academic Search Complete, Science Direct, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched up to 9 June 2018 for relevant peer‐reviewed articles, book chapters, and dissertations. Reference lists were also hand searched. A total of 36 studies were included in the review. Results: A moderate‐sized deficit was observed in schizophrenia spectrum disorders ( k = 32, 1,851 patients and 1,449 controls, g = −0.42 [95% CI = −0.53 to −0.31], p < .001), and a large deficit in major depression ( k = 415 patients and 506 controls, g = −0.87 [95% CI = −1.23 to −0.51], p < .001), with this effect being significantly larger for depression ( p < .05). Meta‐regression showed that heterogeneity was partially explained in schizophrenia spectrum by longer duration of illness and lower cognitive functioning predicting larger deficits. In depression, some evidence was found that ruling out a history of psychiatric illness in controls may be related to larger effects. There was evidence for small study bias inflating estimates in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Conclusions: Deficits in anticipatory pleasure are manifest in these disorders, and significantly more so in major depression. These findings indicate a possible therapeutic target to link cognitive, affective, and behavioural factors that precipitate and maintain disorder. Practitioner points: Anticipatory pleasure is impaired in schizophrenia spectrum and major depression. A particular focus on enhancing anticipatory pleasure may improve motivation for rewarding behaviour and psychosocial functioning. The review contained only a small number of studies for major depression. Given the heterogeneity in effects, there are likely to be more moderators of anticipatory pleasure that require examination.

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Crossref · 10.1111/bjc.12218

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  • Anticipatory pleasure and consummatory pleasure may be suppressed in mental health disorders.

    “Anticipatory pleasure (related to motivation to engage in rewarding and goal-directed behavior) and consummatory pleasure (momentary pleasure that is experienced while engaged in an enjoyable activity) may be suppressed in mental health disorders [93, 94]”

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Authors
Hallford, D. J., & Sharma, M. K.
Affiliations
  • Deakin University (AU)
  • National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IN)
Corresponding author
Hallford, David J.
Venue
British Journal of Clinical Psychology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-03-10
Volume
58
Issue
4
Pages
357-383
ISSN
  • 0144-6657 (ISSN-L)
  • 2044-8260
OpenAlex
W2921661066
Cited by
84
References
109
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 3
FWCI
1.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
Keywords
anticipatory pleasure, anhedonia, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, major depressive disorder, reward anticipation, cognitive function, disease duration, small-study bias, therapeutic target
MeSH terms
Adult, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Female, Humans, Male, Schizophrenic Psychology, Pleasure

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